Green Spaces and Health Impact

Location: Chicago city, Illinois
Report Date: 2025-09-23

Your Green Space Overview

Total Population Population Over 20 Population Over 35 Population Over 55
2,698,875 1,869,722 1,216,295 456,404

How Your Area Compares

[Interactive gauge chart showing current NDVI level vs. city average and national benchmarks]

Health Benefits of Current Green Spaces

Based on scientific research, the current level of vegetation in your area provides these estimated annual health benefits:

Lives Protected

  • Premature Deaths Prevented: 3456 deaths annually
  • Stroke Cases Prevented: 444 cases annually
  • Dementia Cases Prevented: 505 cases annually

Potential for Improvement

Current vs. Target Scenarios

Scenario Vegetation Level (NDVI) Additional Lives Saved Additional Health Benefits - Stroke Additional Health Benefits - Dementia
Current Level 0.4960 3,456 444 505
Moderate Increase (+10%) 0.5356 3,834 491 559

Where to Add Green Spaces

[Map showing priority areas for vegetation expansion based on population density and current vegetation gaps]

Environmental Justice Considerations

Green Space Access by Demographics

Population Group 22] Average NDVI Access 22] Health Disparity Gap 22]
SVI quintile 1 [0.XX] [X] premature health 25]
SVI quintile 2 [0.XX] [X] premature health 28]
SVI quintile 3 [0.XX] [X] premature health 31]
SVI quintile 4 [0.XX] ☑ [X] premature health 35]

Priority for Equity: Areas with the greatest health needs and lowest green space access should be prioritized for vegetation interventions.

Policy Recommendations

For Community Leaders

  1. Tree Canopy Goal: define and increase urban tree coverage
  2. Equity Focus: Prioritize green infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods
  3. Health Integration: Include health impact assessments in all green space planning

For Residents

  1. Community Gardens: Support local initiatives to create neighborhood growing spaces
  2. Tree Planting: Participate in municipal tree planting programs
  3. Green Advocacy: Advocate for green space inclusion in new developments

For Urban Planners

  1. Zoning Requirements: Mandate minimum green space ratios in new developments
  2. Green Corridors: Connect existing parks and green spaces with tree-lined pathways
  3. Climate Resilience: Use vegetation to address urban heat island effects

Data Sources & Methodology

This report uses satellite-derived vegetation data (NDVI), U.S. Census demographics, and peer-reviewed health impact models from environmental epidemiology research. Health estimates are based on established exposure-response relationships from longitudinal cohort studies across multiple cities.

Report generated by JustGreen Tool - Colorado State University. For questions or technical details, contact: